TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — The state’s elections chief is telling board members and leaders of a northern Ohio county elections board to prepare for a hearing on their removal.

Letters sent Monday from Secretary of State Jon Husted (HYOO’-sted) follow a special committee’s recommendation that the top two elections officials in Lucas County be fired and three of its four board members be removed.

The board has experienced several years of infighting and accusations of wrongdoing. A series of missteps and squabbling delayed voting results for hours in the primary election last week.

Husted has said the board has failed to make recommended changes. He says future elections can’t be jeopardized, and he’s using his authority to start proceedings to remove the five people from their respective positions.